“Cherokee” is a 5-yr-old Paint gelding that started to have a weeping eye about 6 months ago. The owner called Dr. Shane out to examine the eye. It appeared to have red eyelids and a white, roughened look to the third eyelid (fold of pink tissue that protrudes over the eye of some mammals for extra protection and lubrication). Dr. Shane suspected a Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the third eyelid and immediately removed it surgically at the farm. The lab confirmed the diagnosis of SCC. About 6 months later, “Cherokee’s” eyelids appeared to bulge out and it was tearing again. The SCC tumor had recurred and appeared to involve the eyeball. The owner was offered two options to save Cherokee. The first was to take him to a referral Ophthalmologist to have the tumor removed, start chemotherapy and try to save the eye. The second was to remove the entire eye and eyelids to save the horse. SCC are very agressive tumors that eventually spread to the bone of the skull. Eventually, the horse would have to be put down if nothing was done. The owner elected to have Dr. Shane remove the eye at the farm. Cherokee was put under general anesthesia in the grass and the eye, eyelids and lashes were all removed, leaving just the skin to cover the socket. Though it seems like a radical surgery, horses do very well with one eye. The owner was advised to be careful to let Cherokee know were she was when grooming or working around him. Since this was the left eye, all the tack should be switched to mount and dismount from the right side. As of this writing, Cherokee is doing well and the tumor has not recurred.

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